Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevmore money than brains, threw coins out of the Crown hotel windows. In the scramble that followed, hats were knocked off and became footballs for the crowd. The crash of glass followed, drawing forth howls of delight, after which the reserve police appeared on the scene and soon had order, which they maintained to the end.
1880 RIOTS
Rioting again took place at the General Election of 1880. In this election the two political parties changed their headquarters, the Conservatives using the Ship Hotel and the Liberals the Crown Hotel. Probably the landlord of the latter thought it was his turn to be immune from the attention of the rowdies. During the day following the polling the crowd, whilst waiting to hear the result, started a serious disturbance in front of the Ship Hotel, making it impossible for the Conservatives to leave. Cabs were hired and driven up, only to be led off by the crowd.The disturbance apparently resulted from the crowd being irritated by objectionable signs made from the Ship Hotel windows by some of the Conservative Committee. These I saw myself and could give names, but prefer not; others also made themselves too prominent. It had also become known early in the day that the Military had been sent for by the Mayor without the authority of the magistrates. The crowd resented this and seemed determined, now they were there, to find them a job. In the midst of all this excitement I witnessed what I thought an unwise and indiscreet act, performed with a good deal of bravado by Alderman M ------ n and Counciflor W ----- g. Decked with an abundance of yellow favours, they forced their way into a mixed crowd to exhibit their popularity and further to inflame the passions of the people.
The excitement grew as the crashing of glass blended with the cheers and groans of the crowd, and an ugly rush was made for High street, where the fish shop of Mark Athey provided the angry mob with handy although slippery, missiles. Other properties suffered damage before the sorely-tried patience of the authorities gave way. Mr H. W. Verelst of Aston Hall (a member of the County bench) deemed it necessary to read the Riot Act. This he proceeded to do from the front of the Ship Hotel.
The streets, having been ordered to be cleared, the Hussars (who had been in waiting at the Prince of Wales Hotel) came at full gallop up Main street and rushed straight into the crowd. Those who were not fortunate enough to get away came in for some rough usage. Members of the constabulary who had hitherto shown hesitancy in taking action, joined in the charge and made free use of their batons.
POLICE RUN AMOK
As the riot developed, the men in blue, imported from country villages and unaquainted with crowds such as this, seemed completely to lose control of themselves many innocent people being struck and prominent citizens badly mauled. They made quite as much, if not more disturbance than the mob, the disordery way in which they cleared the streets being ridiculous and reprehensible They advanced recklessly through the principal streets, pummelling every poor unfortunate who could not get out of their way.Visiting the licensed houses, where respectable tradesmen were enjoying their usual refreshment, they swept glasses off the tables with their batons, and in several instances struck them out of the hands of the people. Everybody was ordered to clear out and be sharp about it.
Entering one hotel far from the scene of disturbance, they commanded the company to leave, and on proceeding to do so quietly, these inoffensive people were astonished to find that they had to run the gauntlet of policemen with drawn staves, ranged on each side of the doorway. As they issued forth they were struck, or, as they termed it, 'nobbled as hard as could be' , their heads being cut and bruised and hats lost, » next
prev « «